EMPIRE PRESS UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1921, Page 4

EMPIRE PRESS UNION

ANNUAL MEETING

WELLINGTON, February 21

The annual meeting of the New Zealand branch of the Empire Press Union was held to-day. Twenty-two members were present, and Sir George Fenwick ‘Otago Daily Times,” Dunedin (chairman), presided. The following were elected associate members: Messrs A. Lowrie (“Times” Dunedin), W. F. Alexander and J. Ash ("IStar,” Dunedin), D'r. Seholefield (“Age,” Masterton). Tlie annual report referred to the second conference of the Union held in Canada last year, in which seven delgates from New Zealand took part. Mr T. W. Leys, chairman of the New Zealand delegates had the honorary degree of L.L.D., conferred on him by McGill’ University, and the (report ■ congratulated Dr. Leys on the honour received. During the tour of the Prince ot V ales the New Zealand branch of the Union extended to him its cordial greetings and elicited from the Prince a complimentary reference to the New Zealand Press. Reference was also made to the death of Messrs G. Jones, H. Weston and A\ T . A. Parkinson. The branch had 54 members. The receipts for the year were £LO I (is 4d., and the expenditure £llO 9s. Ud. Sir George Fenwick, in moving the adoption of the report and balancesheet, delivered an address on the work of the Union. Air P. Selig, (‘The Press,” Christchurch) seconded the motion. He spoke in high terms of the way in which the delegates to the Empire Press Conference were treated, both in Canada and London. Mr Horton (“New Zealand Herald,” Auckland) endorsed Air Selig’s remarks and stated that lie was informed by Lord Burnham that if an invitation came from Australia, the next Conference would he held there in three and a half years’ time. In such case, an effort should he made to induce the delegates to visit New Zealand.

Mr E. A. Jones (“News” Invercargill) also expressed his pleasure at the reception the delegates had met with.

The. report and balance-sheet were adopted. Sir George Fenwick was re-elected chairman. The following were elected :'s the committee: —Messrs FI. Horton (“Now Zealand Herald," Auckland). L. I’. Blundell (“Evening Post”, AVellington). P. Selig (“The Press”. Christchurch), AY. C. W< ?ston (“Herald,” New Plymouth), C. W. Earle (“Dominion,” Wellington). J. Coomlve (“Standard”, Pa]merston), A. McNicol M.P., (“News,” Dannevirke), H. Brett (“Star.” Auckland), and R. J. Oilmour (“Times,” Invercargill). Air V. Easton was re-oicctod auditor, and Mr AV. Dow, secretary.

THE WORK OF THE UNION. WELLINGTON, February 21. In his speech at the annual meeting of the New Zealand branch of the Empire Press Union to-day, Sir George Fenwick, referring to the recent Empire Press Congress at Ottawa, said the great gathering of journalists from every part of the Empire worthily upneld the interest and high anticipation of the usefulness to the Press and the British Commonwealth evoked by the brilliant and memorable assemblage of Empire editors and proprietors when the Union was founded. The speeches of the pressmen and others .at the conference and the various functions were of a high order. The Canadian Prime Minister declared: 13 “The man behind the pen is the most powerful man on earth.” He had more to do with the creation of public opinion than all other factors together, restating, reshaping and re-emphasising the truth as ho did. It was of supreme importance to tin* well-being of the Empire that the ,i:ie ideals which fortunately animated all but a very small section of the Press should he fostered and solidified by bringing members together periodically to take counsel with each other and further and still further to do what in their jxnver lay to guide Empire movements into the right channels. The main concern of the Union was not to look closely after the interests of its members, hut the nobler ideal of serving those national interests in which the future welfare of our people rested. But matters had been taken up by the Council of the Union which directly affected the carrying on of newspaper businesses. The cable rates had been reduced about one half as the result of

constant pressure on governments and cable .companies. The rate between Australia and New Zealand had been reduced from !)d to 7ld per word, and • a uniform Empire rate of postage on newspapers had been established. The privilege of admission to the Mouse of Commons had lx-en secured for the London correspondents of oversea journals. But the chief success and the most enduring work had been the creation of a new spirit of brotherhood between newspaper men. The New Zealand delegates bad interviewed Si*’ George Foster, Canadian Minister of Customs, regarding the serious shortage of newsprint in the Dominion, and wore received sympathetically, the Minister promising to exorcise Jiis influence to secure a more equitable distribution of the Canadian output. Supplies had been sufficient for the Dominion’s requirements, but prices were high. Contracts had been made for the wind? of the present year. Referring to the Prince of Wales’s visit, Sir George Jfon wick said the Prince desired to convey to the Press of New Zealand his appreciation of the manner in which it had shared in the wonderful welcome accorded him throughout the Dominion and his pleasure at recognising in the Press of Now Zealand a close counter part to the Press of the Old Country.